As part of this year’s Sydney Film Festival finale, The Official Top Ten Night organisation, which produces unique events to help raise funds for Suicide Prevention Australia, held its annual Get Reel filmmakers competition at the iconic, charming, art deco Randwick Ritz Cinema.
The top ten entrants were chosen from 2000 applicants across Australia and New Zealand, the theme being ‘Time To Talk’, addressing the complexities of mental illness and suicide: from LGBTQ, Depression and Schizophrenia. Each short film addressed a range of deeply compelling, thought-provoking storytelling, from documentary to animation and fiction. The winner? Caroline Jiang’s animation 'Flies In May'.
With a panel of judges from the industry including Directors, Cinematographers, Actors and Writers, the takeaway message for all was to be a little more accepting of and kinder to one another.
The next Official Top Ten Night event is: Top Ten Songwriter’s Festival. You can even grab your friends, family or work colleagues to create your own Top Ten Night. Or if you are a songwriter: submit a song on a set theme, by 18th August 2017, to be in with a chance of winning a share of over $5,000 worth of prizes.
There will be 2 x Semi Finals taking place in each country (Sydney & Melbourne for Australia, London & Manchester for the UK) where 10 Semi Finalists will each be invited to perform to a music industry judging panel, in front of a live audience, for the chance to make it to the Listen Up Grand Final (Sydney for Australia, London for the UK) where the Top Ten from each country will perform once more, vying for the title of Listen Up Overall Winner.
The theme for Listen Up Australia this year is "Time to Talk" For more information go to: www.officialtoptennight.com
Photos by Looks Fresh Photography and Michaela Parry